Sneaking around isn't really my style. I like to be in the middle of the action, where all the fun is. But I value my sanity (what's left of it anyway) so I couldn't chill with Percy and Annabeth. I know it's been 8 months, but the PDA was rather overwhelming. I really hope they aren't like that all the time.

Frank looked mad at me the whole meeting and Hazel avoided my eyes while sneaking sideways glances. A bit creepy if you ask me. Then there's Jason and Piper. My two best friends. Well, Jason looked extremely preoccupied, and all the campers kept greeting him while looking at me like I was scum. And Piper was moping, because, well, I don't know. Yeah, sure, Reyna was drop- dead gorgeous. But she didn't try to kiss Jason, or even hug him. After she called his name and saw his hand in Piper's, her face became a mask. I saw Percy shoot a few sympathetic glances her way.

The point was, I was on my own. So I decided to get some fresh air. That always seems to work for my Aunt Rosa. Then again, the woman wore a muumuu, so she didn't set the best example. I stealthily (well, stealthily for me) walked around the dinner pavilion and up the huge hill. It seemed like the camp and Field of Mars were on one side of this ridge, while New Rome was on the other. Like after ten years in hell, you get to cross over to the Promised Land. We were all given some lovely maps, but I left mine on my bunk. I don't know how I'll get to sleep tonight. I swear, those "mattresses" are rocks encased in sheets.

Anyway, I was strolling up the ridge. And maybe when I got to the top, I was panting a little. Maybe. Or maybe the view took my breath away. Don't worry; I won't go all cliché on you. But seriously, the city at night was postcard worthy. The street lamps were just floating disks with fire in them, emitting a warm glow. The moonlight slithered paths down the contours of stone archways. Mosaics were half-illuminated. Beauty. Simple beauty.

Enough being poetic Valdez. Don't be going soft on me, I thought. There were a few trees scattered across the top of the ridge. Don't ask what kind, I'm not Coach Hedge. But the leaves came down to about four feet of the ground, and the trunk was pretty thick. The grass looked comfy. Ok, I'll just sit and rest for a while, until everyone in my barrack was asleep. That way, I wouldn't need to deal with the distrustful glances and sneers. I walked over to the front of the tree, and promptly fell. My foot got tangled in something, my arms flailed around, and I went down. Something was poking into my stomach, and my hand was crushing something soft.

Gods damn it. A freaking person. I pushed myself off, earning an oomph from my victim. Lovely. My hand was on their face. Now that I was on my butt with my hands behind my back supporting me, I could see who it was. A few shafts of moonlight filtered through the branches onto Reyna's face. Shit. At least my hand was on her face, not, ahem, other places.

"Sooo... Hi. Sorry 'bout that," I gulped, and gave a distorted smile. Her mouth seemed to harden.

"I accept your apologies," Reyna replied stiffly. Then, I noticed white ear buds nestled inside her ears. An iPod was laying on her lap. So I guess the Romans gave praetors special privileges.

"Unfair!" I blurted out. She arched an eyebrow, pulling off smoothly what I had tried to do with Piper.

"That praetors get to have iPods," I elaborated.

"Well, with great privilege comes great responsibility. We also have our own houses, but your friend Percy seems to prefer the barracks," Reyna replied. Their own houses? Hades yes!

"Coolio. I am so signing up to be praetor! And I don't know Percy that well," I stated.

"Well, you seemed to be doing the same thing as him at the meeting. Sleeping," she narrowed her eyes. Wow. This girl was perceptive. I decided a subject change was in order.

"Whatcha listening to?" I asked. She looked down to her lap, playing with the cord to her earphones.

"How to Save a Life. Overplayed, I know," Reyna bit the sides of her cheeks.

"No, not really. Overplayed would be Taylor Swift," I grinned. She gave a slight smile and flicked a stray hair out of her face.

"I have her on this playlist too." Reyna's voice was slightly frigid. Just slightly.

"Oh," I said. Reyna raised an eyebrow. I hastened to finish my explanation.

"I'm just... a little surprised. I mean, not that's there's anything wrong with that, I love Taylor, but you don't seem the type. Not that you're not girly or anything, you just seem kind of... I don't know. Indie band or something. Very individual, you know? That's cool though," I finished awkwardly and took a deep breath. She probably thinks I'm an idiot now.

But to my immense surprise, Reyna smiled. Probably laughing at me, but whatever.

"We should make a playlist of sad songs," I regretted my words the moment they were out of my mouth. Reyna dropped the smile.

"What makes you think I should listen to sad songs? And why would I want to make a playlist with you? I don't know you," she tilted her chin up.

"It could be a bonding exercise?" It came out as a question.

"I don't need to bond, thank you," Reyna sneered. We sat in silence for a while. I was about to get up and scamper back to my shitty bed when Reyna spoke again.

"Well, I guess it can't hurt. And I have nothing else to do. But please, no sad songs." I notice she didn't apologize. I guess I'm beneath that.

"Okay. Just hit 'add a new playlist' and we'll scroll through what you've got," I scooted over so my back was against the trunk, but kept a good three inches between us.

"I'm aware of how to make a playlist Leo," she answered. Her extensive music library impressed me. It took us about ten minutes to pick all the best happy songs out of it.

"What's the title?" Reyna asked me. She was no longer frowning.

"How about: Leo and Reyna's Funky Jams. Yeah, I like it," I nodded my head. Reyna curled her lip and raised one eyebrow, but typed in the name nonetheless.

Leo and Reyna's Funky Jams (26 songs)

I Like it Like That

You Lie

Bad Reputation

Domino

Don't Trust Me

Déjà Vu

Waking Up in Vegas

Austin

Sober

U + Ur Hand

Take a Back Road

Breakaway

Hot Mess

It Girl

Are You Happy Now?

Tell Me Why

Love Drunk

1985

High School Never Ends

Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

Our Song

Hard- Knock Life

California Gurls

Piece of Me

Radar

The Show

"Okay. This is pretty epic," I announced. Reyna smiled (she doesn't do that often) and replied,

"Yes, it is Leo. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was be." Then she unfolded her legs, got up, and walked down the hill without a backwards glance. Wow, maybe I'm not as bad with people as I thought.

Author's Note: word count (before A/N)- 1241. So, I was thrilled with all the reviews and people who added me to their story alert list! You guys love Leo! And yes CrystalNight39, they are chocolate chip. (::) Here ya go! Extra cookies to daughterofares97, zealousfreak27 and JVpurplie Demi Fairy, who all reviewed more than once! (::) (::) (::) You guys are awesome. This is way longer than I want it to be, but two more things.

This is rated T for Teen. So they will act like teenagers. Talking about sex, drugs, rape, and swearing is part of their lives. It won't be anything too intense though

This is friendship. Not romance. I love Reyna, and think she belongs with Leo, but it's not going to be in this story. Sorry!

Oh, I love Taylor Swift by the way. Now review, and carry on with your lives!